Book Review: Killer Heels by Rebecca Chance

"From the boardroom to the bedroom, the catwalk to the kerbside...Starry-eyed ingenue Coco Raeburn is passionately ambitious. She will do anything - and anyone - to get her own editorship at a top fashion magazine. And her ruthless boss Victoria Glossop, editor at top UK fashion magazine Style, will do everything in her power to stop her...But Victoria has her own ambitions - she wants the top job at Style's US headquarters, and nothing will come between her and her dream. Uber-svengali Jacob Dupleix, media magnate, owner of Style, and one of the most powerful men in New York and London, is used to controlling all he sees. But when Victoria demands that he give her the US Style editorship, he gives in, little realizing that his empire could be about to fall apart. In New York, mentor and voice of calm in a storm, Mereille watches the shifts of power with detached amusement. If only they knew quite how much power she could wield if she had to..."

Rating: 4/5

I love Rebecca Chance's books - they're very naughty bonkbusters but lots of fun to read and I always find myself getting lost in the very glamourous and exciting worlds of her characters! Killer Heels, with it's bright pink cover featuring a studded stiletto, looked like it was going to be no different, and I was right! I'd actually go so far as to say this is Chance's naughtiest book yet, so do be warned - if rude bits in books aren't your thing, then you're probably going to want to shy away from this one! I thought the story in this book was fantastic, I was so keen to find out what was going on and who was going to get one up over who that I couldn't put it down until it was finished!

Coco Raeburn wants to be at the top of her game in the world of magazines, and will seemingly do anything to get there. She's changed immensely from the young girl she used to be when she started as Victoria Glossop's assistant back at Style magazine in the UK, and is determined to prove to her and Jacob Dupleix, Style's owner, that she has what it takes to be a magazine editor herself. But Victoria is determined not to be upstaged by her young protégé, despite issues in her personal life threatening to put a stop to her successful career. Then there's Style's French fashion director Mereille who is watching the battle between the two women with concern, wondering where it's going to leave her if the women do battle. How are things going to end between Victoria and Coco - will one woman triumph over the other?

I don't want to talk too much about the story of this book as I really enjoyed reading it as it progressed, and it's one of those where it will spoil it if you know too much! I will. however, talk about the characters because they are what I really liked about the book, and as usual Chance delivers a cast of powerful and strong women with a bit of a hidden something about them. Coco, a young woman with a deep determination proves herself to be indisposable to editor Victoria, but when the tables turn and she finds herself getting attention from powerful Jacob, she finds a new side to herself that she didn't realise she had, but will it be the right thing for Coco? Victoria is a career woman without a doubt, but is finding pressure from her husband to start a family hard to handle, especially as she wants to move back to America.

Both of these women were great to read about, and Chance writes the world of magazines so well! You can see why some of the editors get power crazy when people treat them like Victoria gets treated as Style, but I can't really fathom why women like Coco are willing to be treated like dirt just for a chance to work with them, but I suppose each to their own! The story is so interesting, as you're always wondering what is going to happen next for the women, and how things will go for them. There are glimpses of the present tense story, hinting at something between Coco and another character but we aren't told what, then it suddenly goes back to the past story again for a huge chunk, leaving us in suspense once more! I really like this style of story-telling by Chance as it allows you to get really involved in the story, and desperate to find out exactly what's going on - I was shocked when it was revealed I have to say!

I really enjoyed reading Killer Heels, although I did find the obsession with weight and being skinny a little hard to read about sometimes, as well as the relationship that Coco has which made me uncomfortable in parts, but it did all work well in the scope of the story. Chance is definitely back with a bang, and isn't shy at making those scenes quite shocking, perhaps the most shocking she's written so far. With a great cast, and a story that will have you gripped, Killer Heels is a must-read for fans of Chance's other books, and will transport you away from your normal day to day life as you get dragged into the world of Coco, Victoria and co! Magazines, designer names galore, powerful men and women - this book has it all and more... you won't want to miss it.

You can buy Killer Heels as a paperback or an eBook now!

Book News: Rescue Me by Rachel Gibson

Another book I am looking forward to later this year is the latest book from Rachel Gibson. Rescue Me has been pushed back from a July release date to the 6th of December, but maybe it'll make a nice change from all the Christmas and winter themed books I'll no doubt be reading at that time!

"Get ready to play some Texas Hold 'em.

Things are getting tricky for sexy Sadie Hollowell, about to be forced into a bubblegum-pink bridesmaid dress for her little cousin Tally Lynn's wedding. And if that ain't problem enough, the second she drives back into town, the entire population of Lovett, Texas will be fixing her up with the nearest available man - any man. She needs a rescue plan now. And good-looking stranger Vince Haven might just be the perfect 'date' she needs to get her family off her back.

But moody ex-Navy SEAL Vince Haven is only stopping by Lovett to visit his crazy Aunt Luraleen. 'No strings attached'is his motto, and he'll be damned if he acts as any woman's fake date! Sadie's out of luck again - but when Vince's aunt makes him an offer he can't refuse, he could be hanging around town for a while. And if Sadie gets that date after all, she might just get more than she bargained for!"

You can pre-order Rescue Me as a paperback or an eBook now!

Author Interview: Tracey Garvis Graves

Today I am really pleased to be welcoming the lovely Tracey Garvis-Graves, author of the fabulous novel On The Island which I read and loved last month. It's a wonderful love story set on a desert island where the main characters Anna and T.J. end up after their plane crashes. Tracey was kind enough to answer some of my questions, so my thanks go to her for taking the time to answer them, and to Katie at Penguin for organising the interview.You can read my review of The Island here.


1. Please tell me about your book 'On The Island'.

On the Island is a story about a thirty-year-old teacher named Anna who has been hired to tutor sixteen-year-old cancer survivor T.J. Callahan. They were supposed to be spending the summer at the Callahan's vacation rental in the Maldives. Unfortunately, the plane Anna and T.J. are traveling on crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. They make it to the shore of an uninhabited island and wait for a rescue that never comes.

2. Where did you get your idea for the book, and what sort of research had to go into writing it?

I've always loved the desert island premise. I loved the movie Castaway but I'm not sure I ever fully bought the idea of Tom Hanks and the volleyball. I thought it would be a great challenge to put two people on an island - two people who really shouldn't be together - and then see what would happen.

I did a lot of research on dehydration, including finding out how long a person can stay alive without fresh water. I watched YouTube videos on how to make a fire using the bow and drill method (which is what T.J. used) and I remember feeling ecstatic when I discovered that breadfruit is high in Vitaman C (otherwise, T.J. and Anna really could have died of scurvy or some other illness caused by vitamin deficiency). I also read about malnutrition and how long it would take for it to cause problems even if you did technically have enough to eat.

3. The book has been wildly successful, receiving rave reviews from across the globe. How does it feel to have such a success with your debut novel, and why do you think it's been so successful?

It feels wonderful and I'm eternally grateful to my readers for embracing the story so wholeheartedly. I think part of On the Island's success stems from the fact that it's a feel-good book. The characters experience real hardship, but it's ultimately an uplifting story with likeable characters you can root for.

4. You wrote the book in the first person from both Anna and TJ's perspectives - how was it writing from the mind of two very different people, especially a teenage boy?!

It was really fun! Anna was easier to write, for obvious reasons, but T.J.'s chapters really allowed me to channel my inner teenager. The fact that it was a teenage boy made it even more appealing because I knew it would be a challenge. T.J. was younger than Anna and therefore his thoughts and actions were less censored than hers. He really did act from the heart.

5. Having Anna be a much older woman having an affair with young, experienced student T.J. is quite a controversial plotline - did you consider reversing the ages of these characters, and were you worried of any negative impact your storyline would have?

I never considered reversing the ages of the characters. The entire premise rested on the challenge of taking two characters who really shouldn't be together and creating a relationship that the reader would not only understand, but come to root for. I was very worried about how readers would react to the premise, but I hoped they would agree- once they read the book - that I handled the age difference in a sensitive manner; the premise was never meant to be salacious or to titillate. On the Island spans 8 years with the epilogue so T.J. is not sixteen for the whole book.

6. 'On The Island' was originally self-published by yourself after being rejected by literary agents, and has now been picked up by some huge publishing houses. How did it feel to finally sign those book deals, and what do you think made them finally realise what a gem the book is?

Being offered a publishing contract for On the Island was definitely a dream come true. In hindsight I was probably naive in thinking that a publisher would be interested in a book that had a somewhat risky storyline and didn't fit neatly into one single genre. I think the readers embracing the story showed publishers that there actually was a market for a different kind of love story.

7. Who are some of your own inspirations as an author, and what are your top three books of all time?

Stephen King - because he's a master storyteller (The Stand is one of my all-time favorite books). The other two are probably Anne Rice's The Witching Hour and Anne Rivers Siddon's The House Next Door.

8. You have an active Twitter account (@tgarvisgraves) - do you think social media is an important tool for new authors, and do you enjoy interacting with those who have read your book?

I do think it's important if it's used correctly. Social media allows authors to be very accessible to their readers which is a great thing. I love interacting with readers on Facebook and Twitter, and I've made some great friends. Using social media to spam people with a plea to buy your book is definitely not advised, though.

9. Are you working on another novel, and can you tell me anything about it?!

Yes, I'm currently writing a book called Covet. It's my first foray into upmarket women's fiction and it's a story about a married couple and the effects of the husband's job loss during the recession. It's both heartbreaking and hopeful. Have your Kleenex box handy.

Thanks so much, Tracey!

You can buy On The Island as a paperback or an eBook now!

Book News: The School Gates by Nicola May

Nicola May, one of the most successful self-published authors I know, is back this year with another brand new book, and it sounds right up my street. The School Gates is due out late September/early October and will be available from Amazon. I can't wait to read this one, and I am loving the cover too!

" At 3.10 pm every weekday, parents gather at Featherstone Primary to collect their children. For a special few, the friendships forged at the school gates will see them through lives filled with drama, secrets and sorrows.                   

When Yummy Mummy Alana reveals the identity of her love-child’s father, she doesn’t expect the consequences to be quite so extreme.  Ex Czech au pair Earth Mummy Dana finds happiness in her secret side-line, but really all she longs for is another child. Slummy Mummy Brenda’s wife-beating husband leads her down a path she never thought possible, and Super Mummy Joan has to cope when life deals her a devastating blow. And what of Gay Daddy Gordon? Will he be able to juggle parenthood and cope with his broken heart at the same time?          

Four very different mothers. One adorable dad. And the intertwining trials and tribulations that a year at the primary school gates brings. "

You can buy The School Gates as a kindle edition now, and the paperback is coming soon!

eBook Review: The Darling Girls by Emma Burstall

"Three women in love with the same man meet for the first time at his funeral. Can they separate the truth from the lies – and learn to trust again?

When world famous music conductor Leo Bruck dies suddenly, he leaves behind three grieving women and a mass of unanswered questions.

Did the man who juggled these simultaneous relationships while thrilling audiences around the globe, direct The Darling Girls like an orchestra?"

Rating: 5/5

For some reason, I've not really been able to getting into reading books on my Kindle, I just prefer books that I can hold, I'm a bit old-fashioned like that! However, when I went on holiday a few weeks ago, I couldn't fit any of my books in my suitcase so I decided to take my Kindle with me and see if any of the books on there would tickle my fancy. Out in Majorca, I realised I had the new eBook from author Emma Burstall to read, and decided to give it a go as I had enjoyed her previous novels. I quickly found myself getting to it, and was gutted when my Kindle died a day before my holiday ended, so as soon as I got back, I found my charger and devoured the rest of the book, it was so good!

Leo Bruck was a famous music conductor until his sudden death at a performance, but Leo has left behind a trail of destruction that seems set to destroy the lives of those he held dearest to him. Leo's long-term partner Victoria, mother of his two children Ralph and Salome isn't naive and knows of Leo's past indiscretions throughout their relationship, but is devastated to find out how dearly he cared for his other women. She, in particular, hates Maddy, mother of Leo's other illegitimate child Phoebe, the woman she feels set out to take Leo from her. However, when young Cat, the complete antithesis of both Victoria and Maddy comes along, the two older women are surprised at who else Leo has fallen for. But Cat is devastated by the death of her lover, and is struggling to move on with her life. How will Leo's 'darling girls' ever get past his death, and will he play as well in death as he did in life?

Everything about this book was brilliant. Burstall has created a small yet powerful cast of characters which hook you in right from the beginning of the book, and have you wondering how things are going to end up for throughout the book, as there's no obvious happy ending for any of them! I have to say Cat was my favourite character, a troubled young woman struggling with issues with her father, and her mother's rapid decline, as well as the death of Leo. She was likeable because she was very realistic in her feelings and actions, and I could understand her reluctance in moving on romantically, and her struggle to find out who she really is. Her relationship with Victoria in particular was really interesting to me, and I found that Burstall really hit the nail on the head when she wrote those two characters, it was perfectly done.

Victoria and Maddy, Leo's other women are both just as devastated, Victoria most of all as she finds out more shocking secrets about the love of her life after his sudden death. Burstall writes Victoria's desperation and sorrow with ease, using Victoria's job as a counsellor to help her along the way. I love how Burstall wove in Victoria's love of cello playing throughout the novel, and how she used music to soothe, mentioning several classical pieces along the way, always with reference to Leo. Considering we never actually meet Leo in the book, he is so well created by Burstall that we feel we know him, and I disliked him very much for what he did, despite the excuses his lovers made for him. His back story, however, was an emotional one and I applaud Burstall for going for something completely different in this book, it was quite moving to read.

This eBook took me completely by surprise, and I'm thinking it's going to go on my list of top ten reads of 2012 with ease. Burstall creates a world for these characters that you can get lost in, and by following Victoria, Maddy and Cat in the year after Leo's death, we get to see the ups and downs of these womens lives, and experience their feelings along with them. Nothing is obvious in the book, I really couldn't see how it could all end nicely for them, and Burstall manages the story perfectly, keeping some of Leo's secrets back from us until we simply have to know what has been revealed, and we end up sympathising with each of the wronged women in different ways even though we know what Maddy and Cat was doing was wrong. It's an emotional and gripping read, and one I hope gets Burstall the coverage and recognition she fully deserves. Brilliant.

You can buy The Darling Girls as an eBook now!

Book News: A Winter Flame by Milly Johnson

The ever-lovely Milly Johnson is back next month with a fab new book A Winter Flame, and as usual I cannot wait to read it! The cover is gorgeous, so wintery and lovely, I do love that her covers are all continuing the same theme too! It's due out on October 25th, so not too long to wait now.

"'Tis the season to be jolly...But can Eve find happiness through the frost...? Eve has never liked Christmas, not since her beloved fiance was killed in action in Afghanistan on Christmas Day. So when her adored elderly aunt dies, the last thing she is expecting is to be left a theme park in her will. A theme park with a Christmas theme...And that's not the only catch. Her aunt's will stipulates that Eve must run the park with a mysterious partner, the exotically named Jacques Glace. Who is this Jacques, and why did Aunt Evelyn name him in her will? But Eve isn't going to back down from a challenge. She's determined to make a success of Winterworld, no matter what. Can she overcome her dislike of Christmas, and can Jacques melt her frozen heart at last...?"

You can pre-order A Winter Flame as a paperback or an eBook now!

September 2012 releases

Not quite so many books being released this month, but still some really good ones to look forward to! The formidable Marian Keyes is back with another Walsh family novel, The Mystery of Mercy Close; the brilliant Jojo Moyes returns, as does Michelle Jackson, Ilana Fox, Tilly Bagshawe, and the lovely Rowan Coleman! Which releases are you most looking forward to?